Something new every day!

 by Diana McCollum

This year we've planted a lot of flowers and vegetables in our yard. Early mornings when it is cool I like to meander on the gravel paths and check the flowers and vegetable gardens. My husband always plants dahlias they are some of our favorites. When we moved in here 3 yrs ago, there was just a lawn and dirt out back. 

back yard

Area desert before we developed

Now these areas look so much different.

There are flowers and vegetable gardens.

This area we now call Rubble Butte. We have different kinds of catus and a fire pit, mounds of rocks.

The garden areas are developed too. With some in the ground gardens and some in grow boxes.

Bouquet from the garden

Peas, beans, squash and roses!

Kitchen garden-green onions, radishes, lettuce herbs etc

It's been a joy to watch seeds sprout and blossoms bloom. 

And I had my first fresh salad with lettuce, radish and basil from my garden. Tomatoes are coming along but not ripe yet, egg plants have set and we have a few growing. Only blooms on the squash, melons and watermelons.

Those are the new things I look for each day as I water the plants. Blooms, new growth, tendrils and new sprouts.

Do you have flowers or vegetables you enjoy?

HAPPY SUMMER(I know it's not here yet, but soon!)

Fair, Fair, Oh, how I love Fairs!!!

by Diana McCollum


Diana writes paranormal romance, always with a happily ever after. In her latest book "The Witch with the Trident Tattoo" you'll find a heroine and hero to root for as they fight against an evil force set on killing all life in the oceans. Along the way are colorful characters. A teenage mermaid with pink hair who can come on land for short periods of time,  an octopus familiar named James, and a host of others.




A great summer read, "The Witch with the Trident Tattoo".


Fairs have been around since before 500 B.C. Fairs were mentioned in the bible as places to socialize and sell goods.

Over time, the fair morphed away from religion and commerce and into periodic gatherings attended by crafters, food brokers, clothing stalls and livestock for show and sale. People bartered for, and exchanged goods, not that much money changed hands, but lots of goods did.

The actual first date of the original fair is unknown. 

The first fair in America was recorded in 1765, in Windsor, Nova Scotia. In 1792, the first fair of Niagara was held, by the Niagara Agricultural Society. Both of these fairs still occur each year right through the present day.

Today, there are around 2,000 fairs each year in North America.

Now days fairs include, but are not limited to: food, shows, rodeos, games to play for prizes, carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, horticulture, livestock, all kinds of new innovated things for sale!

Personally, I love the fair! Hubby and I try to go every year. Here in Deschutes County there is one day , usually opening day, when seniors get in free. We missed that day this year, hubby wasn’t feeling well, but did go the next day to walk through the exhibits. 

What I learned is there are so, so many talented people in this world. From paintings by 13-year-old kids to gorgeous photography to quilts that are definitely a work of art, it humbled me to see all the creations by everyday amateur individuals.

Most exciting, unusual thing we saw? A couple cowboys riding Long Horn Bulls through the streets of the fairgrounds!

Most beautiful craft was this quilt.

Most beautiful flower? This two toned gladiola. 

The most exotic thing? This Styrofoam head decorated with food and flowers.

Do you have a fair near you, and if you do, what do you like doing the best? For me it’s the inside exhibits, including the animal barns.

The best time - EVER

It’s here…it’s finalllllly here. After months of this….

                                      And this….

Summer has finally danced her way into the cold corner of Michigan that I call home. I love summer. While love is a mild adjective I’m not really sure of an appropriate stronger one. I love summer for many different reasons. But one isn’t the lack of a crazy day job. I miss my kiddos – not the adults but the kiddos.

Here are my top five reasons I love summer….

#1 - I get to hang out here ....

#2 I get to play here 

Hubby, Daughter, and grandson waiting to be pulled 

#3 I get to spend hours with him

#4 I get to sit here and read while drinking martinis

And finally, I get to write. While I write during the cold winter months, the words seem to flow easier when I’m not huddled in a blanket using my laptop as a heat source. I have BIG plans for this summer. Since my word of the year is reinvent (a concept I read about in insert book title), these next three months are key to make that happen.  I’ve rough drafted four projects since January. Now the next three months are going to ‘hard’ butt in seat months of edits and getting them ready to submit. I’m hoping to draft another two in the fall but one is more realistic since fall is a super crazy at the crazy day job.

And a bonus reason I love the summer is all the super yummy fruits we grow here at the ends of the earth Michigan. Here is one of favorite… A super easy strawberry salsa perfect for an appetizer, snack, or served as a dessert topping with cake or ice cream.

What you need:

• 1/2 ounce balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 ounce honey
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound strawberries, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
• zest of 1 lemon (about 1 teaspoon)

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey, salt and pepper until combined well.
2. Add diced strawberries, chopped basil and lemon zest and stir together until incorporated.
3. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.
4. Serve with pita chips, corn chips, or as a dessert topping. (Cinnamon pita chips are wonderful with this salsa!)

I'd love to hear about your favorite time of year and why